The middle of a pandemic might not seem the best time to launch a new farmers market.
But that’s exactly what’s happening when Grow Local Tri-Cities hosts its first summer market in Port Moody on Wednesday.
In fact, the organization’s executive director, Tabitha McLoughlin, said the public health emergency might be the best time to add a third weekly event to its established Coquitlam summer market on Sundays and the Port Moody winter market that runs from November to April.
She said with people staying home more to limit their chances of being exposed to the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19, they’re cooking more often and becoming more aware of the importance fresh, local ingredients can have on culinary success. Local growers are also looking for new opportunities as some markets haven’t opened and they’ve lost contracts to supply restaurants that were closed for more than two months because of public health directives.
McLoughlin said that’s added up to a perfect storm of supply and demand that’s even attracted the attention of new vendors to the Tri-Cities’ scene like Peace Arch Farms, from South Surrey, and Abernathy Acres from Maple Ridge.
They’ll likely be bringing fresh strawberries, peppers, eggplant, kale, chard, cucumbers, garlic scapes and herbs, alongside the offerings of eggs and baked goods from stalwart vendors such as J&E Egg Farm and Gabi & Jules bakery.
McLoughlin said the safety measures that have been implemented at most farmers markets, like limiting numbers of shoppers, having them follow a one-way path around the vendors and marking spots to line up have resulted in more “purposeful” shopping.
“You’re not going to wander through, you’re there to buy,” she said, adding most vendors at the Coquitlam market that’s been running since early May have reported an increase in sales even though the volume of customers is down.
But, McLoughlin admitted, that success has come at the expense of some of the community atmosphere that attracts many visitors to farmers markets as they bump into neighbours, listen to buskers and participate in crafts and kids programming.
She said most shoppers are understanding, though.
“People get it,” McLoughlin said. “I think we’re all becoming more accustomed to standing in line, being conscious of how close you’re standing to someone else.”
• Port Moody’s summer market runs every Wednesday, from 3 to 7 p.m., until Sept. 16. It is located in the parking lot of the recreation centre, next to the tennis courts. A full list of vendor is available on the Port Moody Farmers Market page on Facebook.
